Top Prospects: Cleveland Indians

General
Manager:
Chris AntonettiFarm
Director:
Ross AtkinsScouting
Director:
Brad GrantAAA:
Columbus Clippers (International League) 49-23AA:
Akron Aeros (Eastern League) 73-69Hi
A:
Carolina Mudcats (Carolina League) 76-62*Low
A:
Lake County Captains (Midwest League) 53-86Rookie
Adv.:
Mahoning Valley Scrappers (New York-Penn League) 41-34Rookie:
AZL Indians (Arizona League) 30-26Dominican:
DSL Indians (Dominican Summer League) 31-36
*
Record
of the Kinston Indians, who have moved to Zebulon, N.C. to assume the
Carolina Mudcats franchise name. The previous Carolina Mudcats
organization, a member of the AA Southern League, has moved to
Pensacola, Fla. and are now known as the Pensacola Blue Wahoos.System
OverviewThe
Indians got off to a hot start in 2011, going 33-20 over the first
two months of the season, and while they didn't maintain that pace,
they entered the All-Star break at 47-42, just a half game behind the
division leading Detroit Tigers.
Two
weeks later, still in the midst of a playoff chase, the Indians made
a bold trade at the deadline, sending their two top pitching
prospects, Alex White and Drew Pomeranz, to the Rockies in exchange
for Ubaldo Jimenez. Jimenez didn't fare as well in the Indians
rotation over 11 starts to close the year, and his performance was
indicative of the Indians' departure from the playoff picture,
finishing the season 80-82.
Despite
the disappointment after fading from contention down the
stretch, it was their best season since 2008 when they went 81-81.
After a 65-97 finish in 2009, the Indians selected fifth overall in
2010 when they took Pomeranz, the highest selection the team owned
since 1992 when they took Paul Shuey second overall. That in itself
is a pretty good indication to just how solid the organization has
been over the last two decades.
The
team has had difficulty finding the right successful mix ever since
the team's incredibly successful run from 1995-2001, when they
averaged 93 wins per season and made the playoffs six times in seven
years, including two World Series appearances. Those powerhouse
teams were dismantled fairly quickly due to financial limitations,
and also marked the departure of long-time General Manager John Hart.
Mark
Shapiro, who was promoted to the team's President in November, called
the shots after Hart left, and oversaw a team that surprised a lot
involved in the industry in 2007 when it finished 96-66 and advanced
to the ALCS before falling to the eventual World Series Champion
Boston Red Sox.
The
Indians have a deep track record promoting from within, and former
assistant GM Chris Antonetti took over the reigns as the team's
General Manager with Shapiro moving into his new role.
Pitching
continues to be the team's biggest weakness, at least their ability
to retain the productive arms they have procured from within.
Outside of de-facto staff ace Justin Masterson, the players the team
received in return for CC Sabathia and Cliff Lee haven't lived up to
their initial promise.
In
a continued effort to improve the team's starting staff, particularly
since Fausto Carmona has been placed on the inactive list due to an
investigation surrounding his actual identify, the club traded two
projected middle relief prospects for proven big-league starters this
offseason. Chris Jones was sent to the Braves in late October for
Derek Lowe, while Zach Putnam was recently dealt to the Rockies for
Kevin Slowey.
In
addition to Jimenez, who the team hopes will rebound this year to
regain his status as one of the game's most dynamic young pitchers,
they have collected a modest group of arms that at the very least
will provide valuable depth, with a few others (Zach McAllister,
Jeanmar Gomez, Scott Barnes) knocking at the door. They also have
assembled a young and effective bullpen, led by 26-year old Chris
Perez, with several other key arms on the cusp of contributing in the
late innings, including Nick Hagadone and Chen Lee.
The
lineup is also full of youth, as designated hitter Travis Hafner is
the only projected starter over the age of 29. The system graduated
a pair of infielders a year ago in Lonnie Chisenhall and Jason
Kipnis, who are projected to be the team's starters at third and
second base for the foreseeable future.
While
promoting players from within to assume key roles on the big-league
team is something the Indians have done quite well in recent years,
those graduations and the number of trades the team made over the
last six months have thinned out the impact talent in the system, at
least at the upper levels. Their strong 2011 draft and increased scouting and signing activity in Latin America
could quickly change the perceived strength of the system.
The
Indians will need a lot of things to click for them in 2012 if they
hope to once again contend for the postseason, and the Division
champion Detroit Tigers continued to get significantly better with
the acquisition of Prince Fielder.2011
DraftAs
listed below, the team's top two prospects were also their top two
picks from last June's draft. While that typically isn't a good sign
for any organization, both Francisco Lindor and Dillon Howard were
projected to go higher than where the Indians selected them, and both have impact potential.

Lindor received $2.9 million as the eighth overall pick after rumors circulated just before the draft that he could go high as second overall to the Mariners. A potential five-tool shortstop, he has perennial Gold Glove defensive skills and shows an advanced approach with surprising power from both sides of the plate as a switch hitter.
Howard
signed for well over slot at $1.85 million as the team's second-round
pick, money equivalent of where he was expected to be selected in the
middle of the first-round. Seventh rounder Eric Haase also got money
comparable to his second-round talent grade, while pitchers Cody
Anderson (14th round), Ryan Merritt (16th),
Shawn Armstrong (18th)
and Shawn Morimando (19th)
all received bonuses in excess of six figures.
Lindor
and Haase immediately gave the system two potential impact bats at
premium defensive positions, and there is no reason to believe at
this point in time that either one of them will have to move to
another position.
While
he has yet to begin his professional careeer, Howard has a power
profile with two legitimate strikeout pitches, and the Indians have
been wise to carefully monitor the progress of their young arms.
Big-bodied
junior college right-handed pitchers Jake Sisco (third) and Anderson,
as well as fellow righties Steven Sides (12th) and Armstrong from the
college ranks all have power profiles on the mound giving the
organization intriguing pitching depth in the lower levels of the
system.
The
team continued to show its preference for college players after their
first two picks, adding catcher Jake Lowery (fourth), outfielder
Bryson Myles (sixth), third baseman Jordan Smith (ninth) and second
baseman Zack MacPhee (13th).
All four players have enjoyed solid statistical success at the plate
at the college level while showing an advanced approach at the plate,
and could make up nearly half of the team's everyday lineup at the
Low A level to open 2012.Top
10 Prospects
1.
SS Francisco Lindor
- Baseball-reference player profile
Lindor's
stock as a high school senior last year had
some serious helium, with some reports that he could go second
overall to the Mariners after putting on a show in front of the team's front
office staff as part of a pre-draft workout. The Indians heavily
scouted Lindor all spring, but as the draft approached they never
thought they had a chance to take him.
He
is the type of player that makes the game look easy, with quick feet
and good range at shortstop to go along with a solid arm, as well as
a quick bat at the plate with surprising pop given his 5-foot-11,
175-pound frame. A switch-hitter, he shows good bat speed and a
solid approach from both sides the plate, and can drive the ball to
the gaps. While not too much should be put into him winning the home
run derby as part of the 2010 PG/Aflac All-American Classic, it is
indicative of his ability to hit the ball over the fence.
Lindor signed right at the mid-August
deadline like most other first-round picks, and made his professional debut in the New York-Penn
League. He showed enough polish there to warrant a full season
placement at the team's Low A affiliate in the Midwest League to open
the 2012 season, and as long as he continues to hit, his defense at
shortstop isn't going to slow down a potentially quick trip up the
ladder.2.
RHP Dillon Howard
- Baseball-reference player profile
Howard
joined Lindor on the 2010 PG/Aflac All-American squad, as his arm
strength has been a known commodity for quite some time, with the
ability to reach the mid-90s since his sophomore year in high school.
His strong, durable build allows him to routinely sit in the 90-94
range during games, and also should allow his to sustain the rigors of a long, professional season as he continues to build stamina thanks to his natural strength.
In
addition to his fastball velocity, he commands the pitch well, and
shows good feel for a breaking ball that he's able to add and
subtract off of, ranging between a true overhand curveball and a
sweeping slider. He hasn't needed a changeup much up to this point of his career,
and the development of that pitch is something that should come with
professional experience.
Represented
by the Boras Corporation, many believed Howard was a candidate to
honor his commitment to Arkansas, and when he slipped out of the
first round that belief seemed validated. It took the Indians $1.85
million to steer him away from college, which is the equivalent of
mid first-round money, which is where he was expected to be selected
on talent alone.
It
will be interesting to see where the Indians have him make his
professional debut to open 2012. Low A Lake County would be a little
surprising, but not out of the question.3.
OF Luigi Rodriguez
- Baseball-reference player profile
The
Indians sent Rodriguez straight to the Arizona League to begin his
professional career in 2010 after signing him the summer before.
Depsite his youth and overall need for experience, he has proved to
be a quick learner, showing an eagerness to learn and improve, making
his athletic tool-set that much more exciting to project.
His
speed is the best of those tools, a legitimate threat on the
basepaths that also can cover a lot of ground in centerfield.
Rodriguez has also shown the ability to make adjustments at the plate as a
switch-hitter. There isn't much power in his swing right now, but that should come as he continues to add strength, and his speed allows him to stretch extra-base hits when he drives the
ball to the gaps. After opening the year in the Arizona League, he showed he wasn't completely overmatched when
the Indians aggressively moved him up to Low A Lake County to close
out the season.
A
return to the Midwest League is likely, where he could be poised to
establish himself as one of the circuit's more exciting players.4.
SS Ronny Rodriguez
- Baseball-reference player profile
The
Indians were even more aggressive with their initial placement of
Ronny Rodriguez than they were with Luigi (not related), having him
begin his career with Lake County at the Low A level. Although Ronny
did so at the age of 19, also out of the Dominican Republic, he too showed that he was not completely overmatched.
What
he did show was a reliable glove from the middle infield and strong
range to both his left and right. His power output was somewhat
surprising, particularly in a league that typically suppresses power,
as he hit 28 doubles, seven triples and 11 home runs, slugging .449.
A
lot of that power comes from an overly aggressive approached, as he
only walked 13 times in just under 400 plate appearances. His bat
speed is impressive, and he shows the ability to take the extra base
with more quickness than straight-line speed. While he could stand a
little more seasoning in Low A, he likely will have to be moved up to
make room for not only Francisco Lindor, but also
Tony Wolters, and gives the Indians impressive depth at the position.5.
LHP Nick Hagadone
- Baseball-reference player profile
Acquired
from the Red Sox along with Justin Masterson in exchange for Victor
Martinez in 2009, the 26-year old Hagadone has progressed slowly but
surely toward the big leagues. Once a starter, short relief was
always believed to be in his future, a permanent move the Indians
made with him in 2011. He took to the switch well, improving his
control while maintaining the velocity on his mid-90s fastball and
sharp slider.
He
benefits from not having to pace himself, and could eventually mature
into the Indians closer. He finished last season with the big league
Indians, although could return to AAA to gain a little more seasoning
before making the final jump. The Indians already have quite a few
arms competing for a job in the bullpen, so Hagadone's own
development may benefit from a return to Columbus where he at
least can receive regular innings.6.
SS Tony Wolters
- Baseball-reference player profile
Wolters
personifies leadership on the baseball field, and that attribute
alone could place him on the Indians top prospect list. A very good
defensive player who received the Rawlings Gold Glove Award as part
of the 2009 PG/Aflac All-American Classic, he shows very polished
actions up the middle of the baseball diamond. While his arm
strength may necessitate a move to second base down the road, his
range and quick release allow him to get to more balls to throw out
baserunners than most.
He
was also named the MVP of the Classic, showing an equally quick swing at the plate to go along with a patient, line drive
approach in which he looks to go up the middle and the other way.
While power isn't a significant part of Wolters' game, he can
surprise you from time to time by his ability to drive the ball.
He's at his best working the count and getting on base, where he has
enough speed to serve as a base-running threat.
Lindor's
addition to the franchise will make Wolters' placement to open
the 2012 interesting, as they could find themselves as an exciting
double-play combo up the middle for Lake County if Wolters is shifted to second.7.
RHP Chen Lee
- Baseball-reference player profile
Lee's
situation is similar to Hagadone's in that he split 2011 between AA
and AAA (although didn't get a late season call-up to Cleveland) and
projects as a reliever. In fact, every appearance Lee has made since
signing out of Taiwan in 2008 has been out of the bullpen.
He
has a sinker/slider profile, with the ability to run his fastball up
to the mid-90s, but typically throws in the 89-91 range. His
fastball has good sink as he throws from a low three-quarters
delivery, which also makes him especially tough on right-handed
hitters. His slider allows him to keep left-handed hitters honest as
well.
Again
like Hagadone, cracking the Indians' bullpen out of spring training
may be difficult, and he doesn't have the added benefit of being
left-handed. He's yet another short relief arm in a system that
shouldn't have too many bullpen concerns over the next few years.8.
RHP Felix Sterling
- Baseball-reference player profile
Sterling
is another example of the team's newfound dedication to their
scouting and player development efforts in Latin America, and after
spending all of 2010 with the team's Arizona League team, he was bumped up
to Low A after continuing to show promise in Arizona to open 2011.
With
a strong and sturdy, compact build at 6-foot-3, 200-pounds, Sterling
has a power profile with a knack for missing bats. Over his
first 119 professional innings, he has struck out 123 batters,
showing solid control by walking 53 batters during that same time. His
fastball is his best pitch, sitting comfortably in the low-90s with
the ability to touch 94-96. His breaking ball and changeup both show
promise, although he needs to improve both the break and location of
both pitches as he progresses.
The
Indians will likely be patient with Sterling's development, who
should return to Lake County at 19-years of age to open the 2012
season.9.
LHP Elvis Araujo
- Baseball-reference player profile
Araujo
made a successful return to pitching in 2011 after missing all of
2009 and 2010 after having Tommy John surgery. He went 9-1 with a
2.86 ERA in 13 appearances in the Arizona League prior to receiving a
late season promotion to the New York-Penn League, where he could
return to open the 2012 season.
There's
plenty to like with Araujo as a 6-foot-6, 215-pound lefty who sits in the low-90s and the ability to touch a few ticks
higher. Both his breaking ball and changeup need to be refined, but
both pitches show enough promise to give him one of the higher
ceilings in the Indians' system.
The
further Araujo distances himself from Tommy John surgery the more
scouts will feel comfortable with his development and his future
potential. The Indians could aggressively place him in the Midwest
League to open 2012, where he could join most of the organization's
top prospects, giving them an impressive wave of talent to watch over
the next two to three years.10.
LHP Scott Barnes
- Baseball-reference player profile
In
a system full of projected relievers but short on Major League ready
starters, Barnes could provide valuable depth at the AAA level in 2012. The
jury is still out on Barnes' eventual role, as he still needs to
consistently throw his slider for strikes while honing his changeup
to become a reliable option every fifth day at the big league level.
However, he enjoyed a successful 2011 season in a starting role
spent mostly at the team's AAA team in Columbus after struggling for
two seasons at Cleveland's AA Akron affiliate.
He
does have the ability to sit in the upper-80s to low-90s with his
fastball, approaching the mid-90s at times in the early innings of
games when he's at his best. A lanky 6-foot-4 lefty, repeating his
mechanics hasn't been easy for Barnes in the past, but things seemed
to come together for him last year. At 24-years old, he will benefit
from more refinement at the AAA level, and like many of the other
players listed above, could provide stability to a big league team
that has playoff aspirations in 2012.Others
in the conversation:
RHP Austin Adams, C Eric Haase, SS Jorge Martinez, RHP Zach
McAllister, SS Dorssys Paulino, RHP Jake Sisco.